Film-positioning system

ABSTRACT

A film-positioning system is provided for enabling rapid sequential exposure or readout of film framelets making up a microfiche film frame. Successive framelets are exposed or read out in standard industry step and repeat sequence by moving the microfiche film frame relative to a fixed lens in successive incremental steps without having to move major portions of the apparatus. This is accomplished in part by providing first and second storage loops adjacent to opposite ends of the exposure area to accommodate the movement of the film in exposing or reading out a row of framelets. Other bulky apparatus such as the payout and takeup microfiche film reels need not be incrementally moved when exposing rows but only when shifting to a new row all to the end that exposure of microfiche film framelets or, alternatively, location of a single framelet for readout can more rapidly be effected than possible with equipment provided heretofore.

provided for posure or readout of film rne. Successive tandard industrystep y moving the microfiche film frame lative to a fixed lens insuccessive incremental steps without having to move major co secondstorage loops posure area to accomposing or reading out a y apparatussuch as the payout Primary Examiner-Samuel 5. Matthews AssistantExaminer-Daniel .l. Clement Attorney-Pastoriza & Kelly ABSTRACT: Afilm-positioning system is enabling rapid sequential ex framelets makingup a microfiche film fra framelets are exposed or read out in s andrepeat sequence b re portions of the apparatus. This is acmplished inpart by providing first and adjacent to opposite ends of the ex modatethe movement of the film in ex row of framelets. Other bulk WalterRenold North Hollywood, Calif. Appl.No. 877,376 [22] Filed Nov. 17,1969[45] Patented July 6, 1971 Image Sciences, Inc.

It) Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. [52] 355/54, 355/72, 355/74, 355/77 Int.27/44 355/53, 54, 95, 96, 86, 18

United States Patent [72] Inventor [73] Assignee [54] FILM-POSITIONINGSYSTEM m .M m n u n e b a H R m wnwaw wfifimm 9999 111 a o4 U3 Maw 9 ,31 mmum 6 5 2233 PATENTED JUL 6:971

SHEET 1 0F 2 Attorneys PATENTED JUL 6 m1 SHEET 2 OF 2 3,591,282

INVENTOR,

WALTER RENOLD PASTORIZA 8 KELLY Attorneys FILM-POSITIONING SYSTEM Thisinvention relates to a film-positioning system and more particularly toa. microfiche-type film frame-positioning system for enabling rapidsequential exposure or readout of microfiche film framelets from a givenmicrofiche film frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term microfiche" is widely used by thoseskilled in the camera art as defining a card-shaped piece of film ofabout 4X6 inches in size containing a plurality of small images arrangedin rows. Unperforated film of I05 mm. width is normally used. Thiswide-type film is hereafter referred to as microfiche film and in someinstances may be supplied in rolls wound on enlarged reels in the samemanner as conventional motion picture film and thereafter cut to provideindividual microfiche frames, or initially supplied in precut condition.

Such microfiche film is used for recording data and has many of the sameapplications as other microfilm forms. In microfiche film data storage,successive large frames hereinafter referred to as microfiche framesserve to store data by successively exposing small portions of theoverall microfiche frame, such small portions hereinafter being referredto as framelets." Thus, rows of framelets each framelet, for example,perhaps representing a page of written material, are provided on themicrofiche frame so that a single microfiche frame itself will includeperhaps 50 to I or more framelets and thus represent data storagecorresponding to 50 to 100 or more pages.

Thesize of the microfiche frames made up of the individual framelets areconvenient for storage in card index-type files and permit rapidlocation of stored data of the type consisting of reports, magazines,and shorter treatises any one of which can normally be accommodated on asingle microfiche frame.

While the foregoing microfiche film data storage system is very usefulfor certain types of data such as described, the actual exposure of amicrofiche film frame to provide the various rows of framelets involvescertain difficulties. More particularly, in large volume production ofmicrofiche, 100 foot rolls of film are normally used in place of precutfilm. The use of rolls of film has heretofore required the entire cameramechanism to move in both axes. Thus, incremental or steplike movementsbetween successive exposures must be effected in the longitudinal axisto provide the rows of framelets and incremental steps must be effectedin a transverse axis when moving from one exposed row to a new row forsubsequent exposure of the framelets. Moreover, at the end of each rowthe mechanism must be returned for the start of the next row, andsimilarly it must be returned at the end of the motion in the otheraxis. Hence, the term step and repeat cameras is employed for suchapparatus. The mechanism for efi'ecting such movements is large andbulky and the operative speed is relatively low. Some of these timeconsuming reset motions can be avoided by exposing the framelets in azigzag pattern, that is, expose successive rows in opposite sequence.But microfiche with the framelets arranged in such nonstandard patternmust be rearranged to be useful in a majority of existing readoutdevices. Such rearranging could involve more costly and time consumingoperations, and therefore such schemes and their variations whichproduce microfiche in nonstandard arrangement of frames are veryundesirable.

In order to overcome the problem of inertia and large bulky apparatusfor moving the camera, other schemes have contemplated using atranslating lens. However, such systems would require very expensiveoptical equipment to reduce undesirable off-axis distortions.

It is often important to be able to record on microfilm data providedfrom'computer output. This data is normally displayed on the face of acathode-ray tube and is considerably smaller than a printed page whichmight normally bephotog' raphed in a conventional operation. It ispossible accordingly to use a smaller and more compact camera whenrecording tube, equipment presently available is simply not capable ofkeeping up with the rapid output from the computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With the foregoing in mind,the present invention contemplates a novel film-positioning system whichwill enable successive framelets in a microfiche film frame to beexposed in standard sequence without the necessity of moving the entiremechanism in two axes all to the end that bulky equipment heretoforerequired can be substantially eliminated with the attendant advantage ofhigher speed in recording data.

More particularly, in accord with the present invention, rather thanmoving the entire film-supporting mechanism with respect to the cameralens, only a portion of the film itself including the particularmicrofiche portion to be exposed is moved. Since this portion of film isrelatively light, it may be very rapidly incrementally shifted inposition to effect the desired successive exposures. This movement isaccommodated by providing first and second storage loops of themicrofiche film so that as the film portion itself is moved, one of thestorage loops decreases in size and the other storage loop increases insize. To return the film for the start of the next row, said portion offilm can be very rapidly moved back, while the storage loops change insize, in opposite sense. By this arrangement, the payout microfiche filmreel and takeup microfiche film reel can remain motionless during theentire operation of exposing the framelets making up a microfiche filmframe.

To commence a-next row of framelet exposure, it is again possible onlyto shift a portion of the film in a transverse direction, the storageloops being capable of accommodating such shifting. However, it may beeasier to simply shift the entire mechanism in the transverse directionthe incremental distance involved. Normally, the problems of speed orinertia involved when shifting in the transverse direction are of smallconsequence since such steps are effected within the length of time ittakes to retrace an entire row on the longitudinal axis. Further, thesetransverse movements will occur only during a small percentage of theoperating time. For example, if the microfiche film frame includeslongitudinal rows of I2 framelets each, there being only provided forexample, five such rows, in the overall exposure of the 60 frames, thereonly need take place five incremental movements of the entire mechanismas opposed to 60 such movements heretofore required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of theinvention will be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. I is a highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus forpositioning microfiche film in accord with a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion ofthe'microfiche film of FIG. I illustrating a typical exposure pattern ofthe film framelets making up an overall microfiche film frame as mightbe provided by the apparatus of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 1

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a stationary base 10 mounting atable 11 for transverse movement along suitable ball bearings (notshown) in tracks 12 as indicated by the arrows I3 and 14. Thistransverse movement is effected in incremental steps bya first drivemeans which, for illustrative purposes, has been depicted as a piniongear,15 driven by amotor l6 cooperating with a transverse rack 17 asshown.

" A film gate 18, in turn, is slidably mounted in tracks 19 carried bythe table 11. By this arrangement, the film gate can move longitudinallyrelative to the table as indicated by the arrows 20 and 21. The fronttrack 19 isshown in phantom lines to avoid obscuring other portions ofthe drawing. This movement is also effected in incremental steps by asecond drive means which may include a pinion 22 driven by a motor 23cooperating with a longitudinal rack 24 on'the film gate 18 as shown.The gate 18 includes hinges 25 so' that film in the gate may be clampedor unclamped by a suitable actuator coupled to the gate as shown at 26.

Microfiche film 27 is shown positioned in the gate 18. This film issupplied from a payout reel 28 mounted to the table 11 as by arm 29.Between the payout reel 28and the entrance portion of the film gate 18,there is provided a first film loop forming means comprised of rollers30 and 31 for forming a film loop-{of a first given film size asindicated at 27a. A second film loop forming means comprised of rollers32 and 33, in turn, receives film from the exit portionof the gate 18and forms a film loop of a second given film-size as indicated at 27b.From the second film forming means, the film 27 passes to. a takeup reel34 mounted to the table 11 as by arm 35. The rollers are mounted on thetable 11 by any suitable means (not shown). All rollers are shown inpairs of which one may be driven as a capstan while the other is anondriven pressure roller keepingthe film in friction contact with itsassociated capstanjroller. A motor 36 is shown for driving the rollers30 and 33 and a motor 37 for driving the rollers 31 and 32.

A fixed lens 38 supported rigidly as by arm 39 on the base is showndisposed over the film gate 13 for projecting an 7 image from acathode-ray tube CRT onto a portion of the microfiche film frame in thegate 18. The image on the cathode-ray tube displays the output from acomputer which when photographed at reduced scale is converted into acomputer. output microfilm often referred to in the art as C.0.M.

' From the description thus far, it will be evident that the film gate18 and film frame area defined thereby may be moved together as by thepinion 22 and motor 23 in the direction of the arrows and 21. Thismovement can take place without any corresponding movement of the payoutreel 28 and takeup reel 34 since the storage loops of film 27a and 27bare sufficient in size to accommodate the movement over the overalllength of the'film frame. Thus, when the gate and film are moved in thedirection of the arrow 21 by the drive motor 23 and with rollers 31 and32 being driven in synchronism with the gate by motor 37, the first filmloop 27a will decrease in size and simultaneously, the second film loop27b will increase in size. These size changes are depicted respectivelyby the dotted line showing 270' and 27b. In order, however, to move anentirely new microfiche film frame into the gate 18, and still maintainthe desired relative film loop sizes, it is necessary to drive therollers 30 constituting 'part of the first film loop forming means'andalso drive rollers 33 constituting part of the second film loop formingmeans as by drive motor 36 which motor is also arranged to drive thetakeup reel 34 all as depicted by the dashed lines.

FIG." 2' illustrates a portion of the microfiche film 27 whereinamicrofiche film frame designated generally by the arrow 40 isjshown asincluding a series of rowsdesignated A,

B, C, D, and E of individual framelets such as the framelets 41, 42, 43,etc. for the row A. I

'In FIG. 2, the overall length of the microfiche film frame isdesignated L and the overall width as W. In the particular examplechosenfor illustrative purposes, there are typically provided five rowsas described each comprising 12 framelets to provide a total of 60framelets on the single microfiche film frame with allowance for'titleand border areas. Thus, if a' magazine of 60 pages or a report ortreatise of a corresponding 7 number of pages were to be recorded, thesame could be accommodated on the single microfiche film frame, eachframelet serving to record one page. The overall framemay be cut andstored in the manner of cards in a card index file for easy retrievaland ultimate reproduction or viewing.

OPERATION THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. I

,With reference 'again to FIG. 1, film is pulled from the payout reel 28by the first film loop-forming means, the rollers driving the film in aforward direction as indicated with rollers 31 stationary to form afirst given loop size 270 as shown. This loop size stores a sufiicientlength of film to define at least one length of an overall microfichefilm frame; that is, at least the length corresponding to in FIG. 2 isstored by the loop 27a. Also, the rollers 33 of the second loop-formingmeans are driven in a forward direction to reduce the loop 27b to thesmall size 27b, while rollers 32 are stationary and takeup reel 34 isdriven to wind up the film passed on to it by rollers 33.' At the end ofthis movement, the second film loop size 27b may be minimal or not evenexist. However, it is preferable to provide a small amount of storage inorderto avoid undue tension in the film. The same considerations applyalso to the first loop when it is at its small size 27a. I

During the foregoing initial operations of the first and second filmloop-forming means,'the gate 18 with the film clamped and microfichefilm frame defined by the gate area are positioned as shown in FIG. 1wherein they are closest to the first film loop-forming means so thatthe lens will project framelets.

, The foregoing process is completed until all five rows have an imageadjacent to the upper left corner of the gate 18 when viewed from therear of the apparatus in FIG. 1. Also, the table. 11 is positioned suchthat the image from the lens 36 falls on the top row of the film whenviewed as described. In this position, the first framelet to be exposedwould be that depicted by the numeral 41 as shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2.

This film framelet may then be exposed and immediately thereafter, thefilm within the gate along with the gate 18 moved an incrementaldistance in the direction of the arrow 21 by the drive motors 23 and 37.The next framelet in the first row corresponding to the framelet 42 inFIG.. 2 is then exposed. This process is repeated until a complete rowof framelets has been successively exposedrDuring this exposure, and asdescribed heretofore, the first film loop size 27a will decrease and thesecond film loop size 27b' will increase. There is no necessity formovement of any other mechanism in the apparatus and thus an extremelyrapid sequence of exposures for the framelets in the row can beachieved.

After exposure of the first row, the drive means in the form of themotors 23 and 37 will return the gate 18 and film respectively, to theirinitial positions by moving them back in the direction of the arrow 20so that the loop 27a again becomes large and the loop 27b smalLDuringthis latter movement, the entire table 1 I is moved transversely in thedirection of the arrow 13 by the drive means 15, 16 and 17 so that thenext successive row such as row B in FIG. 2 is positioned with itsinitial framelet beneath the lens 38. The longitudinal incrementalstepping movement of just the film gate and film itself isthen effectedas before to expose a film row of microfiche been properly exposed atwhich time, the table 11 is transversely returned in the direction ofthe arrow 14 to its initial position. At this stage, the gate ispositioned close to the rollers 32, the first loop is in its small size270', and the second loop in'its larger size 27b. The gate is nowunclamped from the film by actuator 26 and driven in the direction ofthe arrow 20 to its position close to rollers 31, without affecting thefilm position.

Thereafter, or during this latter movement-of the gate, the

loop by the same length of film to its size 27b. The film payed out byrollers 33 is wound up by takeup reel 34. Finally, the actuator 26clamps the film in the gate and the component parts are then inpositions to permit exposure of a new microfiche film frame.

It will thus be evident the only time the entire mechanism must beshifted is to change from one row to the next and thus for an exposureof a total of 60 framelets, only five such incremental shifts must bemade. Therefore, inertia problems and precision registration problemsassociated with a rapid movement of the entire niechanism aresubstantially reduced. On the other hand, the successive exposure of 12framelets in a longitudinal directiorl can be effected extremely rapidlysince the inertia of the film: gate and film itself between the storageloops is relatively small.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 3

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a second embodiment of theinvention wherein most of the features of the first embodiment of FIG.are provided, except that a stationary film gate is used andlconsequently the functions germane to the moving film gate are omitted.Elements common to both the embodiments are identified with the samenumerals in FIGS. 1 and 3. I

As shown in FIG. 3 the film 27 passes from the payout reel 28 pastrollers 30 and is formed into the loop 27a. The film then passes throughi ollers 31 and through a fixed film gate 180, whence it passes betweenrollers 32, forms loop 27b, and is finally wound about the takeup reel34. A servomotor 44 is connected to a potentiometer 4S, and throughgears 46 and 47 to the input of a clutch 48. The output of clutch 48 isconnected to the driven r'pller 31, and by means of the belt 49 to thedriven roller 32. Gears 47 and 50 connect the motor drive to the inputof clutch 51 which input, however, is turning in the opposite directionto the input of clutch 48 because of the action of the gears. The outputof clutch 51 connects to the driven roller 30, then through another beltdrive 52 to the driven roller 33, and through still another belt drive53 to takeup reel 34, as shown. Each clutch has a brake which permitslocking the disengaged output to the frame of the mechanism.

In this embodiment, the structural support and the drive of themechanism in transverse directions are similar to that shown in FIG. 1,and designated by the same numerals 10, ll, l5, l6 and 17 and movementarrows l3 and 14. The greater compactness due to the narrow fixed filmgate makes it advantageous to place the mechanism in an uprightposition. The lengths of the shafts are greatly exaggerated to clarifythe illustration.

The foregoing arrangement provides one common motor drive for all thefunctions taking place on the moving table. Further, the motor 44 may bea servomotor for the drive. Such a system can easily be programmed toaccurately produce any desired size for the framelets step increments,and it does not generate the vibrations and film slippage that may becaused by so-called stepping motors often employed in similarapplications. With smooth acceleration and deceleration the servo drivemay accomplish the return motion of the film in one fast step. Such aservo drive requires a feedback position-sensing means and this isprovided by the potentiometer 45, which must be reset or turned backperiodically to its first position.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 3

In operation and with the film loops formed as shown, the

clutch 51 is disengaged and clutch 48 is engaged. Rollers 31 After thelast row of framelets has been exposed, the film is in a forwardposition. One extra forward step is now taken to align the centerline ofthe first framelet in the next fiche frame with the lens. Clutch 48 isdisengaged, and clutch 51 is engaged to rollers 30 and 33. As the motor44 turns backward, the potentiometer 45 or other angularposition-sensing means is also turned back, while the rollers 30 and 33are moved in a forward direction as is required. Consequently noseparate time period is needed to reset said position-sensing means.

The advantages of the moving film gate as described in FIG. 1 such asholding the whole microfiche film frame clamped flat during its entireexposure, which aids optical alignment and reduces the possibility offilm scratches, are lost in the embodiment of FIG. 3. However, otheradvantages are gained in the embodiment of FIG. 3, such as furtherconsiderable reduction in space requirements. If the film is driven byrollers 31 and 32, and the film gate is stationary, the length of thegate has to accommodate only one column of framelets. This narrow gaterequires much less space than the large microfiche frame-size gage inthe other embodiment, which must be allowed further space for itsmovements.

The elimination of some portions of the mechanism helps to reduce cost,and the lower inertial loads permit further increase in operationalspeed. Therefore, in some applications, these considerations mayoutweigh the advantages of the moving film gate.

Referring back to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a common drive motor couldreplace any two or all three of the motors 23, 36, and 37 with suitableclutches connecting the common motor to drive the gate and/or rollers inthe desired manner. Further, it should be noted that the drive motor 37for the rollers 31 and 32 could be omitted so that these rollers arefreely rotatable. In this instance, the desired film movement would beeffected totally by the gate drive and clamping of the film by the gate.To maintain the loop sizes, reliance would be had on the naturalstiffness of the film or suitable film guides could be used.

Conversely, the film gate drive motor 23 could be omitted and the drivemotor 37 for the rollers 31 and 32 used solely to move the film and gatewhen clamped to the film. This latter modification however, wouldrequire an additional film movement to return the gate at the end of acomplete microfiche film frame exposure as well as additional clampingand unclamping operations.

In the event servomotor drives are used in the embodiment of FIG. 1,feedback devices such as the potentiometer as described in theembodiment of FIG. 3 would be required. When a servo drive is used, itis possible with suitable clutching arrangement to avoid the extrareturn period required to reset the potentiometer at the end of amicrofiche exposure so long as a drive means is provided for the gate.In other words, the potentiometer is reset simultaneously with returnmovement of the gate.

While the invention has been described primarily with the exposure ofmicrofiche film framelets from a computer output, it will be evidentthat the principles are equally as well applicable to production ofmicrofiche by direct photography as well as to a rapid location of aparticular microfiche frame and framelet in a roll of exposed microfichefilm for readout purposes. The term exposure" as used herein is meant toencompass the concept of exposing a film framelet area for thephotographing of data thereon as well as exposing a film framelet forreadout purposes.

What I claim is:

l. A film-positioning system for enabling rapid sequential exposure offilm framelets arranged in a longitudinal row substantially defining thebeginning and end of a larger film frame on film provided from a payoutreel of film fed to a takeup reel, comprising, in combination:

a. means defining an exposure area through which said film passes;

b. fixed exposure means positioned to expose said film in a givenportion of said area corresponding to the area of each framelet;

c. first loop-forming means positioned between said payout reel and saidexposure area for forming a loop in said film of a first given loopsize;

d. second loop-forming means positioned between said takeup reel andsaid exposure area for forming another loop in said film of a secondgiven loop size; and

e. drive means for incrementally moving said film from said firstloop-forming means to said second loop-forming means to thereby decreasesaid first loop size and simultaneously increase said second loop sizeso that said successive exposures may be made without any paying out ortaking up of film by said payout and takeup reels, respectively.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which means are provided toincrementally move the mechanism including said means defining anexposure area, first and second loop-forming means, and payout andtakeup reels, in a transverse direction, whereby a plurality of rows offramelets may be successively exposed.

3. A system according to claim 1, in which said means defining anexposure area comprises a film gate, and means for moving said film gatetransversely in incremental steps relative to said fixed exposure meanswhereby a plurality of rows of framelets may be successively exposed.

4. A system according to claim 1, in which said means defining anexposure area comprises a film gate, said drive means being coupled tosaid film gate to move said film gate and large film frame defined bysaid gate together in the longitudinal direction of said film.

5. A system according to claim 4, including means for moving said filmgate transversely in incremental steps relative to said fixed exposuremeans whereby a plurality of rows of framelets may be successivelyexposed.

6. A system according to claim 1, in which said larger film frameincludes additional longitudinal rows of framelets, said drive means forincrementally moving said film being reversible to return the film fromsaid second loop-forming means to said first loop-forming means,preparatory to exposing an additional longitudinal row; and means toincrementally position the adjacent longitudinal rows in line with saidfixed exposure mean, whereby a plurality of rows of framelets may besuccessively exposed.

7. A microfiche film-positioning system for enabling rapid sequentialexposure of film framelets arranged in rows to define a largermicrofiche film frame, the length of each row substantially defining thelength of said microfiche film frame and the number of rows inside-by-side relationship defining substantially the width of saidmicrofiche film frame, whereby successive microfiche film frames from aroll of microfiche film on a payout reel fed to a takeup reel, areprovided for subsequent exposure of framelets, comprising, incombination:

a. a base;

b. a table mounted to said base for transverse movement,

said table supporting said payout and takeup reels;

c. a film gate mounted to said table, microfiche film from said payoutreel passing through saidgate to said takeup reel, said gate defining anexposure area for at least a portion of a microfiche film frame;

d. a lens fixed relative to said base in a position to expose a givenportion of said microfiche frame corresponding to one framelet in area;

e. a first film loop-forming means mounted on said table for forming afirst film loop of a first given loop size in a portion of said filmbetween said payout reel and its entrance into said film gate;

a second film loop-forming means mounted on said table for forming asecond film loop of a second given loop size in a portion of said filmbetween its exit from said film gate and said takeup reel;

g. first drive means on said base coupled to said table for moving saidtable, payout reel, takeup reel, film gate, and said first and secondfilm loop-forming means in transverse directions given successiveincremental distances each defined by the width of a framelet and, h.second drive means on said table for moving said film relative to saidtable in longitudinal directions given successive incremental distanceseach defined by a length of a framelet, said first given loop size beingsufficient to store a length of film at least equal to the length of onemicrofiche film frame, whereby operation of said second drive meanssuccessively moves said microfiche film in longitudinal positions forsuccessive exposures of said framelets making up a row, without anymovement of said table and payout and takeup reels, said first film loopsize decreasing and said second film loop size increasing toaccommodatethe movement, said second drive means then returning said film to itsinitial position to thereby increase said first film loop size anddecrease said second film loop size to their original sizes, said firstdrive means then moving said table transversely one incremental distanceso that a second row of framelets may be successively exposed, theprocess being repeated until all framelets on said microfiche frame areexposed, said second drive means then causing said first and second filmloop-forming means and said payout and takeup reels to move incooperation to pay out and take up a microfiche film frame length tothereby position at least a portion of a next microfiche film frame insaid gate for successive exposures.

8. A microfiche film-positioning system according to claim 7, in whichsaid film gate is mounted for longitudinal movement to said table, saidgate having means for clamping and unclamping the film, and said gateaccommodating a film frame the size of one microfiche, said second drivemeans on the table for moving said film relative to said table inlongitudinal directions including means to drive the moving film gate,which when clamping the film will then move the film with it.

9. A microfiche film-positioning system according to claim 7, in whichsaid film gate is mounted for longitudinal movement to said table, saidgate having means for clamping and unclamping the film, and said gateaccommodating a film frame the size of one microfiche, such that whensaid moving film gate is clamped to the film, said second drive meansfor moving said film relative to said table in longitudinal directions,will cause the film gate to be pulled along by the moving film.

10. A microfiche film-positioning system according to claim 7, in whichsaid first and second film loop forming means include drive rollermeans, said second drive means including a servo drive having aposition-sensing means and clutch means connected to said drive rollermeans all cooperating together such that when said second drive meanscauses said cooperating means to position at least a portion of a nextmicrofiche film frame in said gate for successive exposures, saidpositionsensing means is reset.

1. A film-positioning system for enabling rapid sequential exposure offilm framelets arranged in a longitudinal row substantially defining thebeginning and end of a larger film frame on film provided from a payoutreel of film fed to a takeup reel, comprising, in combination: a. meansdefining an exposure area through which said film passes; b. fixedexposure means positioned to expose said film in a given portion of saidarea corresponding to the area of each framelet; c. first loop-formingmeans positioned between said payout reel and said exposure area forforming a loop in said film of a first given loop size; d. secondloop-forming means positioned between said takeup reel and said exposurearea for forming another loop in said film of a second given loop size;and e. drive means for incrementally moving said film from said firstloop-forming means to said second loop-forming means to thereby decreasesaid first loop size and simultaneously increase said second loop sizeso that said successive exposures may be made without any paying out ortaking up of film by said payout and takeup reels, respectively.
 2. Asystem according to claim 1, in which means are provided toincrementally move the mechanism including said means defining anexposure area, first and second loop-forming means, and payout andtakeup reels, in a transverse direction, whereby a plurality of rows offramelets may be successively exposed.
 3. A system according to claim 1,in which said means defining an exposure area comprises a film gate, andmeans for moving said film gate transversely in incremental stepsrelative to said fixed exposure means whereby a plurality of rows offramelets may be successively exposed.
 4. A system according to claim 1,in which said means defining an exposure area comprises a film gate,said drive means being coupled to said film gate to move said film gateand large film frame defined by said gate together in the longitudinaldirection of said film.
 5. A system according to claim 4, includingmeans for moving said film gate transversely in incremental stepsrelative to said fixed exposure means whereby a plurality of rows offramelets may be successively exposed.
 6. A system according to claim 1,in which said larger film frame includes additional longitudinal rows offramelets, said drive means for incrementally moving said film beingreversible to return the film from said second loop-forming means tosaid first loop-forming means, preparatory to exposing an additionallongitudinal row; and means to incrementally position the adjacentlongitudinal rows in line with said fixed exposure mean, whereby aplurality of rows of framelets may be successively exposed.
 7. Amicrofiche film-positioning system for enabling rapid sequentialexposure of film framelets arranged in rows to define a largermicrofiche film frame, the length of each row substantially defining thelength of said microfiche film frame and the number of rows inside-by-side relationship defining substantially the width of saidmicrofiche film frame, whereby successive microfiche film frames from aroll of microfiche film on a payout reel fed to a takeup reel, areprovided for subsequent exposure of framelets, comprising, incombination: a. a base; b. a table mounted to said base for transversemovement, said table supporting said payout and takeup reels; c. a filmgate mounted to said table, microfiche film from said payout reelpassing through said gate to said takeup reel, said gate defining anexposure area for at least a portion of a microfiche film frame; d. alens fixed relative to said base in a position to expose a given portionof said microfiche frame corresponding to one framelet in area; e. afirst film loop-forming means mounted on said table for forming a firstfilm loop of a first given loop size in a portion of said film betweensaid payout reel and its entrance into said film gate; f. a second filmloop-forming means mounted on said table for forming a second film loopof a second given loop size in a portion of said film between its exitfrom said film gate and said takeup reel; g. first drive means on saidbase coupled to said table for moving said table, payout reel, takeupreel, film gate, and said first and second film loop-forming means intransverse directions given successive incremental distances eachdefined by the width of a framelet and, h. second drive means on saidtable for moving said film relative to said table in longitudinaldirections given successive incremental distances each defined by alength of a framelet, said first given loop size being sufficient tostore a length of film at least equal to the length of one microfichefilm frame, whereby operation of said second drive means successivelymoves said microfiche film in longitudinal positions for successiveexposures of said framelets making up a row, without any movement ofsaid table and payout and takeup reels, said first film loop sizedecreasing and said second film loop size increasing to accommodate themovement, said second drive means then returning said film to itsinitial position to thereby increase said first film loop size anddecrease said second film loop size to their original sizes, said firstdrive means then moving said table transversely one incremental distanceso that a second row of framelets may be successively exposed, theprocess being repeated until all framelets on said microfiche frame areexposed, said second drive means then causing said first and second filmloop-forming means and said payout and takeup reels to move incooperation to pay out and take up a microfiche film frame length tothereby position at least a portion of a next microfiche film frame insaid gate for successive exposures.
 8. A microfiche film-positioningsystem according to claim 7, in which said film gate is mounted forlongitudinal movement to said table, said gate having means for clampingand unclamping the film, and said gate accommodating a film frame thesize of one microfiche, said second drive means on the table for movingsaid Film relative to said table in longitudinal directions includingmeans to drive the moving film gate, which when clamping the film willthen move the film with it.
 9. A microfiche film-positioning systemaccording to claim 7, in which said film gate is mounted forlongitudinal movement to said table, said gate having means for clampingand unclamping the film, and said gate accommodating a film frame thesize of one microfiche, such that when said moving film gate is clampedto the film, said second drive means for moving said film relative tosaid table in longitudinal directions, will cause the film gate to bepulled along by the moving film.
 10. A microfiche film-positioningsystem according to claim 7, in which said first and second film loopforming means include drive roller means, said second drive meansincluding a servo drive having a position-sensing means and clutch meansconnected to said drive roller means all cooperating together such thatwhen said second drive means causes said cooperating means to positionat least a portion of a next microfiche film frame in said gate forsuccessive exposures, said position-sensing means is reset.